Nurture (養) in the 12 stages of Ba Zi
Nurture is the time in the womb, well fed and waiting to be born: safe, cared for, gathering itself to begin.
On this page
What Nurture means
Nurture is the last stop in the cycle, like a baby nourished in the womb and slowly growing, ready to move into the next Birth. Strength is still building and in no hurry to show, but the foundation thickens day by day.
Where it falls for each Day Master
Jia Wood in Xu, Yi Wood in Wei, Bing Fire in Chou, Ding Fire in Xu, Wu Earth in Chou, Ji Earth in Xu, Geng Metal in Chen, Xin Metal in Chou, Ren Water in Wei, Gui Water in Chen.
Nurture on your Day branch
With the Day Master sitting on Nurture, people often describe you as gentle, easygoing and patient, someone elders and helpful people tend to look out for, and who looks after others well in turn. You are unhurried and steady, and people feel at ease around you. The thing to watch is getting so comfortable that you do not want to move, or leaning too much on others' plans; set yourself a small goal so the strength you have stored has somewhere to go.
On the Year, Month and Hour pillars
On the Year pillar, it is often read as being well cared for by family in early years, or especially close to grandparents. On the Month pillar, work tends to suit steady-growth settings where experience builds up over time. On the Hour pillar, it is traditionally read as a settled later life and a deep, mutually supportive bond with children.
A tip
On Nurture, your strength is already stored, and Birth comes next. Do not wait until you feel completely ready to set out.
FAQ
How is Nurture different from Conception?
Conception is the moment life begins and its direction is first set; Nurture is when it has taken shape and is being fed, getting ready to be born. Conception is about incubating ideas, Nurture about building a foundation.
Which Day pillars sit on Nurture?
Four of the sixty pillars do: Jia Xu, Geng Chen, Yi Wei and Xin Chou, all on the earth branches Chen, Xu, Chou and Wei. Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Ren and Gui day pillars never sit on Nurture.
What comes after Nurture?
After Nurture the cycle returns to Birth and the twelve stages begin again. So Nurture is both the close of one round and the last step before a new start.
The 12 stages
Ba Zi centres on the Day Master and Ten Gods; Zi Wei Dou Shu on your Life Palace star. Draw your Zi Wei chart to compare.
This is the general reading. On your own chart it shifts with the stars' brightness, the San Fang Si Zheng and the year you are in.
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